Temple Sholom of Fanwood/Scotch Plains Holocaust Remembrance Service

On Sunday, April 7, at 7 p.m., Temple Sholom of Fanwood/Scotch Plains will observe Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) with a special Service of Remembrance and Hope. All are welcome. This year’s service will focus on the voices of the children who lived through the Holocaust, as well as those who perished.

Guest speaker Josef Korngruen will tell his story of escape from Nazi rule as a child. Korngruen was born in Austria to Polish parents. It was only after his parents renounced their Polish citizenship and became stateless that they were issued papers that allowed his sisters and him to travel—one sister to Israel, one to America and Josef to England on the Kindertransport.

“As Holocaust survivors and those who managed to survive by living in hiding or escaping Nazi Germany to other parts of the world age, it is very important that we all learn stories from the Holocaust so we too can become witnesses,” said Ann Saltzman, chair of the Yom HaShoah Committee for Temple Sholom, professor of psychology (emerita) Drew University and director of the Drew University Center for Holocaust/Genocide Study.

Music written by 11-year-old Alec Volkoviski for a music competition in the Vilna Ghetto in 1943 will be sung at the service, led by Cantor Darcie Sharlein. Also included will be readings from Anne Frank’s diary, stories and poems written by children imprisoned in Terezin concentration camp and excerpts from high holiday liturgy.

Former Temple Sholom confirmands will participate in the service as they pass the "mantle of memory" to the next generation.

Funding for the program is provided by the Nathanson Fund for Adult Education.
Temple Sholom is located in the Fanwood Presbyterian Church at the corner of Martine and LaGrande avenues in Fanwood.

The congregation’s chapel is around the corner off Marian Avenue. Please enter through the door on Marian marked Temple Sholom.